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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: fred cesquim on November 21, 2022, 09:04:34 AM
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While the primer dries on my Pathfinder i started this new project
Came a across a partial short kit of Kaz Minato Hellcat ( cut by Bene Rodrigues ages ago)
i intent to finish with a scale painting so i can compete on the sport scale Brazilian F4B nats next year ( sport scale have loose rules so anybody can enter and feel the taste of scale competition)
30% of points are outline fidelity and 70% flight, so i may have a chance to score something
unfortunately i tried all my best to locate Beneīs plans and had no sucess ( he doesenīt seem to have them too) but i managed to get some nice information fro Chris Cox that built a similar sized plane and went gold on Nats. He was very helpfull to share some plans with me and i am working part with his plas part guessing the placing of parts as this kit is slightly different
hope you enjoy the ride
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painting decided, and probably will be e-powered.
iīve heard itīs based on Kaz Blue Max so i expect a nice flying bird
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This Blue-Max / Hellcat overlay might be helpful. I think both of these images came from Kaz's site.
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This Blue-Max / Hellcat overlay might be helpful. I think both of these images came from Kaz's site.
thanks a lot Brent! the second plant will be great to use!
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I remember Kaz saying that for FAI use he'd lengthen the tail moment 1" and also shorten the nose too. But the models that he has are a little different, fully molded. L
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this oneīs for F4B, a porky flyer but scored great on last nats
i will be busy on 2 categories
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this oneīs for F4B, a porky flyer but scored great on last nats
i will be busy on 2 categories
Exceptionally well done model, but I don't understand the green windshield?
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Exceptionally well done model, but I don't understand the green windshield?
thank you, the full size is tinted too ( albeit a little different shade, but these transparent are hard to match)
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i am curious about final weight, never had a F2b fully sheeted/build up wing
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not bad weight for a 60" wing. still needs wingtips, flaps, horn & landing gear. next is fuselage
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now letīs make some fuselage to stick this wing
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cockpit on the works
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modified the formers for a more scale like profile
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decided to kit the formers in half and build 2 shells so i could align the frame perfetcly
such pearl like body would be a nightmare to jig properly.
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ready for planking
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Looking great! y1
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Looking great! y1
thank you Wayne!
finally started to look like an airplane
canīt wait to take this half off the bench.
so far i am pleased with this method and overall weight / stifness
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started to look like a hellcat
fuse half shell is amazing light 100 grams 3,5oz ( still to finish sheeting on the bottom ) and add the e-power nose section
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fuse side planking done
next is B side
hope i am not talking alone here ;D
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Very nice!
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fuse side planking done
next is B side
hope i am not talking alone here ;D
You are not, I am watching and it looks really good!
Brett
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You are not, I am watching and it looks really good!
Brett
Same here, checking in daily. D>K
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thanks for the return guys! as we have hardly any interaction here, seems like i am talking alone LOL
not much progress, started the other half of fuse after a few off days on the beach
hope to glue fuse halves before vacations next 17th
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Checking everyday too. Watching and learning.
Mike
Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
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Far Out ,
Royal Navy & fleet air arm . :(
(https://www.super-hobby.com/zdjecia/0/7/1/175_rd.jpg)
(https://previews.agefotostock.com/previewimage/medibigoff/0ab3bf40ec862706fc9f21dd4499c4ae/mev-11952274.jpg)
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I've always thought this would be a great paint scheme for a Hellcat Stunter... S?P
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both looks good indeed!
and out of the ordinary
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fuse shells done, and the weight difference betwen them are just 2 grams, happy with the result.
this sums up 2022 work on the hellcat, leaving for a 2 week vacation
goal is to finish before may for brazilian scale nats
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Nice.
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both looks good indeed!
Both? Both pictures represent the same scheme.
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Both? Both pictures represent the same scheme.
your post of US Navy scheme and the previous one Royal Navy, both are great choices as they stray from the commom all blue Hellcats
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your post of US Navy scheme and the previous one Royal Navy, both are great choices as they stray from the commom all blue Hellcats
Ahh, got it.
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Fred, what kind of wing jig are you using?
Kevin
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Fred, what kind of wing jig are you using?
Kevin
itīs a custom made jig Kevin , alluminium L 2" x 2" with sliding alluminium 1/2" x 1/4" bars d=for the TE and a 45 degree machine in one face similar bar for the LE ( one side is 90 degress and the oposite 45 so i can use it for diamond shaped LE or straight LE.
the pitures shows the side views ( wing is off the jig, for other purpose)
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TE view
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back from short vacation
tail group ready, came out light, now looks like a revell kit, just need final assembly
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Welcome back Fred, still keeping an eye on this one. y1
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Ditto!
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Welcome back Fred, still keeping an eye on this one. y1
thanks guys! had to step back and re-do the flaps sheeting! mistakenly used 3/32 and when finished ( sanded and added hinges) found out they are almost 1/8 higher than wing TE....after new sheeting set, will start to put main parts toguether.
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getting closer, fuse sides glued
now comes wing alignment, tail group and finishing process
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That is some nice work. y1
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back from short vacations
need to assemble fin/rudder, tail cone, nose cowl, bent landing gear, vac form cockpit and make the engine support.
close to finishing process
plane looks amazing indeed, hell of a job from Mr Kaz Minato!
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sheīs almost ready for finish
needs to vac form canopy, make the nose ring and glue the engine stand
wieght so far is great 4,23 oz with lading gear less engine/wheels
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home made vc form working
made a test with unfinisehd plug just to check proportion and make fuselage fit before finish.
later will polish the plug and produce the final canopy
frame will be painted
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Wonderful Fred!
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Hi Fred. I have been watching in absolute awe. The Hellcat is one of my all time favorite planes. I grew up under them in Nevada during WW2. They flew over our house every day.
Your building is extremely neat and a lesson on how to do it right.. H^^ y1 #^
thank you guys! i am really excited and please how this plane is going on! started as a "side plane" for sport scale competition but more and more looks like a contender for sunt F2b!
i love the look of the Hellcat, must be such a view from your youth!
never had the chance to see one, not even at museum. Hopefully one day
will be back soon
regards!
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double sanding day
dope on the hellcat and primer on the pathfinder LE
looks like iīll have 2 new planes by july, hopefully!
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flying surfaces on silkspan and fuse on carbon veil gala dress
now letīs enjoy the dope fumes for a week or so and then comes primer
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cowl basic plug is almost ready to be molded in fiberglass
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Sweeeet!
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Looking really good! Nice work on the cowl detail too, looks like it should. y1
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thanks Crist and Warbird !
i am very pleased with weight and overall look so far, hope turns out a good stunt model
hopefully will be ready on primer by the end of this month if rain give a break
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Being from Kaz I'd anticipate it being better than good. Decide on a paint scheme yet?
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Being from Kaz I'd anticipate it being better than good. Decide on a paint scheme yet?
i bet ti will! based on Blue max platform....so...
the painting will be a long time fave, will do some ink lines and battle wear
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i bet ti will! based on Blue max platform....so...
the painting will be a long time fave, will do some ink lines and battle wear
Awesome! Hoping that "battle wear" means adding exhaust residue, gun residue, general weathering etc. y1
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Just in case, here's some help with the mouth detail...
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Another pic, and a link with a bunch more...
https://www.google.com/search?q=planes%20of%20fame%20hellcat&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CdwAKKYhANXVYVJAuftnyLvCsgIMCgIIABAAOgQIARAAwAIA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CBoQuIIBahgKEwjIy4WKscH9AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQiAE&biw=1349&bih=600
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A great detail reference for weathering the belly... S?P ;D
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Seems the Red Baron flew them too . S?P
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Hellcat/NAS/images/Grumman-F6F-5K-Hellcat-No-11-drone-and-target-aircraft-post-war-01.JPG)
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Hellcat/NAS/images/Grumman-F6F-5K-Hellcat-brightly-colored-drone-and-target-aircraft-post-war-01.jpg)
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Hellcat/VU/images/Grumman-F6F-5K-Hellcat-VU-3-White-UF-BuNo-94473-01.jpg)
And the orange Baron ,
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/F6F_target_drone.jpg)
The Yellow Baron ,
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Hellcat/F6F-3/images/Grumman-F6F-3K-Hellcat-brightly-colored-drone-and-target-aircraft-post-war-02.jpg)
A red & yellow Baron ? Dont mind the Wing Tips !
(http://www.pmcn.de/MF.3/F6F-5K.red/F6F-5K.red.01.jpg)
AND SOMEWHAT TRADITIONAL .
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Hellcat/VU/images/Grumman-F6F-5K-Hellcat-VU-1-UA15-Oahu-Hawaii-17th-Sep-1959-0A.jpg)
SORRY ABOUT THAT , Chief . Theres even a natural metal silver prototype , if youre not keen on BLUE . :(
(https://coollib.com/i/39/266039/pic_96.jpg)
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GRRRR . . .
(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/520641/)
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thank you all guys for the great information! will be used as reference for sure!
some GREAT pictures here indeed
fiberglass nose done, just need to open the air intakes
a few more dope / sanding and will be ready for primer!
will keep you updated
Regards!
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It's going to be beautiful!
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Looks really great, but I'm not understanding the process on the cowl opening. I thought the first picture with the open lower cooler intakes was going to be it, but now they're closed up.
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Looks really great, but I'm not understanding the process on the cowl opening. I thought the first picture with the open lower cooler intakes was going to be it, but now they're closed up.
first picture is a 3d plastic part, used to to make the fiberglass mold. second picture is the molded part yet to have the opening cut
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Ok, I can see the the 3D material in the first photo now. I guess I'd assumed it was the final product because it was already blended into the fuselage.
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i blended the 3d part to fit so when i vac formed the mold the final size was perfect as the part needed minor adjustment
now both planes are ready for final sandind and the fun begins
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Nice.
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first primer shot sanded, few spots to be corrected, and another last light coat of primer and weīre good to go
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Nice.
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Looking good. I'm surprised the canopy isn't glued in and filled yet?
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Looking good. I'm surprised the canopy isn't glued in and filled yet?
thanks! will be glued after plane is finished and dull clear coated. the real thing donīt have it blended to the painting as we do on our F2b, you can see them attached, so for the sake of some scale looks, will do like this.
truth: the cockpit 3d partes are being made and i will have them later, soo...... ;D
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thanks! will be glued after plane is finished and dull clear coated. the real thing donīt have it blended to the painting as we do on our F2b, you can see them attached, so for the sake of some scale looks, will do like this.
truth: the cockpit 3d partes are being made and i will have them later, soo...... ;D
10-4. I like the scale consideration but my only concern is it coming loose on you at some point. Don't get in a rush just because your 3D parts aren't quite ready, now is the time to make the final decision.
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10-4. I like the scale consideration but my only concern is it coming loose on you at some point. Don't get in a rush just because your 3D parts aren't quite ready, now is the time to make the final decision.
i have a tight schelude until next brasilian nats, so i have to hurry up
as for canopy i never had a loose one, even on 1/3 scale gas r/cmodels, itīs just a matter of right glue / proper mathod.
on monokoted models i use "RC56 canopy glue" and on painted models 30 mim epoxy ( i dull the 1/8 inside lip with 150 grit sandpaper) and expose some wood on the fuselage underneath the painted "frame" so it will suck epoxy and be invisible.
more work but the scale look is perfect.
but thanks for the heads up, always good to have nice input on the buulding!
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i have a tight schelude until next brasilian nats, so i have to hurry up
as for canopy i never had a loose one, even on 1/3 scale gas r/cmodels, itīs just a matter of right glue / proper mathod.
on monokoted models i use "RC56 canopy glue" and on painted models 30 mim epoxy ( i dull the 1/8 inside lip with 150 grit sandpaper) and expose some wood on the fuselage underneath the painted "frame" so it will suck epoxy and be invisible.
more work but the scale look is perfect.
but thanks for the heads up, always good to have nice input on the buulding!
Just a thought, I figured you knew what you're doing, carry on! ;D
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fun begins! white underside is done, next comes the light blue
45 days to brazilian Nats
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Looking good.
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Ok, back to the game and close to the finish line!
Brazilian Nats will be next 23 so i have 2 weeks tops to finish and test fly!
had a setback: painted the white and intermediate light blue last week. i was about to paint the navy blue on the weekend but something was bothering me...
the white lacquer paint i have used was not the usuall brand i work. Auto paint shops now are selling only cheap brands and due to the time frame i opted for what they have. HUGE mistake! i painted the bottom of the plane and used about 1/2 liter! and still covering wasnīt good. after a few days the paint was still a little tacky. I opted to go ahead, mad with the weight penalty and sub par finish. after a sleepless night i took lacquer thinner and removed all of the paint!
bought online my usual brand and started again ( not so bad as the primer used was 2K so the thinner preserved the finish)
guess what? used 1/4 of the bottle! the pigment was far superior! now i have painted bottom insignia and the intermediate blue with a free hand airbrush. tomorrow will be the navy blue....the clock is ticking
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Looks real nice Fred!
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Awesome, thanks for the update!
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night, rainy and paint keeps coming
tomorrow is insiginia day and hopefully sharkmouth too
thanks Crist and Wwarbird for the comments and for the input, itīs good to have some interaction here
9 days to competition, not sure if iīll make it, but iīll do my best
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night, rainy and paint keeps coming
tomorrow is insiginia day and hopefully sharkmouth too
thanks Crist and Wwarbird for the comments and for the input, itīs good to have some interaction here
9 days to competition, not sure if iīll make it, but iīll do my best
Looking really good, don't rush it just for the contest. n1
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thenk you Wayne
a bit more progress, now comes ink lines, weathering and clear coat
will try to finish in time, just too much effort to miss the date
if i clear coat on wednesday iīll be able to test fly friday
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Just keeps getting better, I'm assuming all the graphics are paint?
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Just keeps getting better, I'm assuming all the graphics are paint?
]
Thanks Wayne, all painted
almost like the real thing ( i am pretty sure the sharkmouth was hand painted)
unfortunately i have no dexterity for it
now comes the fun part: ink lines
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hope Lt Stambook can trace a good pattern with the supplyed instruments
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LL~
hope Lt Stambook can trace a good pattern with the supplyed instruments
You could help him by displaying the maneuvers on the gunsight (hud). I just love cockpits. No Stunter, especially a semi-scale should be without one. Beautiful plane!
Ken
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LL~You could help him by displaying the maneuvers on the gunsight (hud). I just love cockpits. No Stunter, especially a semi-scale should be without one. Beautiful plane!
Ken
good point Ken ;D! thanks
i do love build them, last year i had made a full job for a FW190 1/4,5 scale
with 3d printers, laser printers and some ingenuity you can do some pretty decent job nowadays
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good point Ken ;D! thanks
i do love build them, last year i had made a full job for a FW190 1/4,5 scale
with 3d printers, laser printers and some ingenuity you can do some pretty decent job nowadays
WOW, that could pass for real. :)!
Makes mine look like a toy!
Ken
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WOW, that could pass for real. :)!
Makes mine look like a toy!
Ken
thanks Ken! this plane turned out pretty close to scale, i was aiming for the USA Top Gun tournament, unfortunately the ownwe sold it and the actual owner has no desire to compete
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back to the Hellcat
dry fit of parts, weight before clear coat is 1170 grams, i am pleased with the result
now comes the ink lines, weathering and clear coat.
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Outstanding Fred!
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Very impressive work Fred. y1
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thanks Chris and Wayne!
finally done with the ink lines
tomorrow will do a bit of weathering and clear coat
hopefully will fly friday afternoon or saturday at least, just to set the timer and speed laps
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Wow, excellent detail. So nice to see ink work representative of true scale instead of just a bunch of random lines and shapes. It's this type of attention and effort that separates the master models from the rest. This is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite models. y1
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thanks Chris and Wayne!
finally done with the ink lines
tomorrow will do a bit of weathering and clear coat
hopefully will fly friday afternoon or saturday at least, just to set the timer and speed laps
The $64,000 question - will the clear be shine or satin? LL~
I am loving this plane.
Ken
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The $64,000 question - will the clear be shine or satin? LL~
I am loving this plane.
Ken
No doubt it will be awesome either way.
This brings to mind Burns' Wildcat stunter that was done in satin. Only because it was a stunt model did the finish become controversial. There is no debating though that it was one of the most well detailed and finished C/L models ever, ultimately cool in the final product. If it's a military type design for example, and the builder chooses an appropriate satin finish, so be it. Shiny or satin, stunt model or not, in cases like these the judges should be looking at the quality of the work and not be biased toward a shiny finish just because it's a stunt model. After all, we call these type of stunters "semi-scale", right?
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Wow, excellent detail. So nice to see ink work representative of true scale instead of just a bunch of random lines and shapes. It's this type of attention and effort that separates the master models from the rest. This is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite models. y1
Thank you Wayne, i have used a 3 view drawing of the F6 to emulate the panelling, with a lot of adaptations to look similar, but i had to let a lot of stuff out as would be too much in such model. so far i am pleased with the result.
Actually thatīs my apporach on F2b models ink lines, using real airplane similar panelling, otherwise looks like a cartoon
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The $64,000 question - will the clear be shine or satin? LL~
I am loving this plane.
Ken
being a scale modeller by heart, i had no doubts ;D
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No doubt it will be awesome either way.
This brings to mind Burns' Wildcat stunter that was done in satin. Only because it was a stunt model did the finish become controversial. There is no debating though that it was one of the most well detailed and finished C/L models ever, ultimately cool in the final product. If it's a military type design for example, and the builder chooses an appropriate satin finish, so be it. Shiny or satin, stunt model or not, in cases like these the judges should be looking at the quality of the work and not be biased toward a shiny finish just because it's a stunt model. After all, we call these type of stunters "semi-scale", right?
thatīs kind of shortseeing, either shiny or satin or matt what counts for me is the final work. i had no doubts, matt closer to the real thing. unfortunately we have no points for finish, so i had nothing to loose and honestly a shiny warbird looks odd.
sheīs drying the clear coat now, tomorrow will add hinges, install engines, check CG, add cockít and get ready for test fly.
3 days to competition...
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Beautiful, and I love that you opted for a satin finish, it looks PERFECT! Can't wait to see a bunch of fully assembled ready-to-fly photos.
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Outstanding work Fred!!
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Any updates Fred? Did you and the Hellcat make the contest?
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dear friends!
GOOD NEWS
she flies straight from the board, no trim issues so far!
i was able to test fly the day before competition. firs 4 flights of 1 minute was to set the timer speed.
Then moved the cables a little backwards and fun begun! This is my best F2B airplane until now, flyes graciously, straight, perform tight corners and round maneuvers with precision. One funny thing is that maybe due to the porky fuselage she looks slow on the pattern, but do it with confidence and precison, i could not be more pleased!
Kaz Minato did a great job on his design!
I placed 4th on the "sport scale" The rules on sport are 30% regarding static and 70% flight ( this was made to bring newcomers to scale world, even if they donīt build the planes themselves). I have achieved almost a perfect score on the Static ( i know, the rules are light regarding scale profile) and the flight was not so scale as i had only 3 flights before competition, so instead of a rehearsed scale routine i flew like an F2b ship, other thing is that electric engines lacks the notes for "realism of noise" so i was penalized on that as well.
Anyway i have reached my goal: finish a good F2B plane that resembles a full size bird. On the F4B competiton i went second with the Smith Biplane. Had excellent static score but flight was plagued by malfunction of the 3 cable system, i could not idle porperly.
Still absolutely happy with the competition outcome ( will make a full report sooner)
thanks a lot for the support you guys have given me!
next? well... letīs paint that Pathfinder LE and battle to see wich planes flyes better
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first flight before adding pilot and instrument panel
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now in full regalia
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sharkmouth
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with full cockpit
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Well done !
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Fantastic! Way to go. H^^
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Thanks for the update and great photos Fred. You're Hellcat is extremely well done and perfectly detailed and finished, good luck with it and be proud. y1
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Beautiful work!!! Love the white ink lines!
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thank you all guys, i really enjoyed building this plane, and you have been most encouraging thorugh the process
next weekend iīll put some serius flight on her now that the scale competition has gone
will swithc to F2B mode now
back to the Pathfinder finish...talk to you soon guys
regards from Brazil